Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Public Records: Commonwealth

lord boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to give access to documents held on Commonwealth nations and their independence movements to Commonwealth scholars unable to visit the National Archives without access to funding to meet current charges for copying and postage.

baroness barran: As a government department, The National Archives is obliged to charge for some of its public services, including research and record copying. These charges, agreed with HM Treasury, are set out in the Fees Regulations issued under the Public Records Act (1958) and are based on recovering the costs of providing these services. Digitised records on The National Archives’ website are always free to search but a charge of £3.50 per download generally applies to view the full transcription or download digital copies.In line with its strategic vision of ‘Archives for Everyone’, The National Archives is engaged in a range of activities that aim to expand its audience and enhance access to its collections, both on site at its buildings at Kew and online. Recognising the particular interest in Commonwealth nations in a range of the public records in its collection, The National Archives is in ongoing and active dialogue with its peer institutions in Commonwealth nations, particularly through its membership of the International Council on Archives (ICA) and its leadership of the ICA’s Forum of National Archivists.

Commonwealth Games 2022

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what infrastructure developments they are planning to support the delivery of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

baroness barran: There are two major capital projects which are funded through the budget for the 2022 Commonwealth Games: the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium, to be delivered by Birmingham City Council; and the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre, delivered by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. In addition to the budget for staging the Games, there are a number of existing projects in the region that will also help deliver the Games. The Games village is being delivered by Birmingham City Council, with government housing funding support for infrastructure and land assembly costs. Transport for West Midlands is supporting two station upgrades, at Perry Barr and the University, and the development of three new rapid bus routes, to help provide improved transport access for the Games.

Department for International Development

UK-Africa Investment Summit

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any consultancies were used to help deliver the UK–Africa Investment Summit 2020; and if so, why.

baroness sugg: The production aspects of the UK-Africa Investment Summit were contracted out to specialist event companies, as is normal government practice. We also used contractors to design and run the series of pre-events, to undertake analysis of trade and investment trends, and to assess the Summit's impact. These organisations complemented the large cross-government team of policy officials who delivered the Summit.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Sudan: Politics and Government

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) freedom of religion or belief in Sudan, and (2) security sector reform, since the appointment of Abdalla Hamdok as Prime Minister; and what representations they have made to the government of Sudan about reports that Sudanese nationals have been detained for political reasons when returning to that country.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK welcomes commitments by the new civilian government to improve human rights but significant issues remain. Sudan remains a priority country in the UK Annual Human Rights Report with promotion of human rights a key aspect of our engagement with Sudan. There are recent signs of progress on Freedom of Religion or Belief, including institutions observing Christian holidays and Christians being able to attend church services on Sundays. However, we remain concerned by ongoing issues and abuses which I raised with the Sudanese Ambassador on 28 January.Reforms of the security sector in Sudan were enshrined in the Constitutional Declaration of 17 August 2019. Our Embassy in Khartoum is monitoring developments. Reforms will take time but will form an important part of Sudan's transition to democracy and support of human rights. Progress since the appointment of the civilian-led government includes the disbanding of the operational arm of the General Intelligence Service (formally National Intelligence and Security Services) and reorganisation of the top-level command structures of the Sudanese Armed Forces.We are concerned by reports of political detainees, have called for their release, and for all detainees to be treated in accordance with international standards. We will continue to engage the Sudanese authorities and civil society on this issue.

Eritrea: National Service

baroness goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of national conscripts, reported to be at risk of sexual and gender-based violence, in the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa's programme 'Reconnecting Eritrea and Ethiopia through rehabilitation of the main arterial roads in Eritrea'.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: UK support for the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa project, to reconnect Eritrea and Ethiopia through the rehabilitation of the main roads, is conditional on the EU working with the UN to monitor the treatment of national service workers implementing the project. The project, run by the Eritrean state-owned company Segen Engineering, will employ approximately 300 civilian National Service workers who will receive technical and health and safety training.We are not aware of any reports of sexual or gender-based violence connected with this project or within the construction industry as a whole. DFID works closely with the European Union on our joint agenda to safeguard against sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. We will continue to review these specific concerns relating to Eritrean national service, and work with the EU to put further measures in place where we judge these are required.

BBC: Iran

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of harassment experienced by BBC personnel in Iran; and what action they are taking in response.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We condemn the judicial persecution of family members of employees and ex-employees of BBC Persian, and are deeply concerned by the reports of any threats against journalists in the UK. The British Government is committed to the promotion of media freedom, which is vital to functioning societies, and the principle that journalists must be able to investigate and report as they see fit. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranian authorities at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues including restrictions on media freedom. On 29 January, the UK alongside Canada co-hosted the first official meeting of the Media Freedom Coalition in Geneva, a partnership of 35 countries working together to advocate the safety of journalists worldwide and to defend media freedom.

Visas: EU Countries

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens working as crew on commercial vessels moving between EU countries will be able to remain within the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180 day period after December 2020.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The EU has already legislated such that British nationals will not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in every 180-day period. British nationals who intend to stay or travel in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days in any 180-day period may need a visa or permit from the relevant Member State to do so.The Schengen Area provision for 90 days access in any 180-day period does not apply to those undertaking paid work or providing a service in the Schengen Area. British nationals should check with the Embassy of the relevant Member State for what kind of visa or permit, if any, they will need.As set out by the Prime Minister, the United Kingdom is seeking to agree reciprocal commitments with the EU on the temporary entry and stay of individuals, so that both British nationals and EU citizens can undertake short-term business trips to supply services in each others' territories. The detail of these mobility arrangements will be negotiated. Information about travelling to the EU to provide a service is available on GOV.UK. We will update these pages as further information is available.

Visas: EU Countries

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens working in the EU, whose role entails travelling between several EU countries, will be able to remain within the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180 day period after December 2020.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: A frontier worker is a person who regularly works in one or more states in which they do not reside, irrespective of whether they also work in their state of residence. British nationals who are frontier workers in the EU before the end of the transition period are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. This means that British nationals working in an EU Member State and resident in the United kingdom or another Member State before the end of the transition period will be able to continue to work as they do now.British nationals who are not protected by the Withdrawal Agreement as frontier workers because they are not frontier working in the EU prior to the end of the transition period may require a visa or work permit from the relevant Member State (s) in order to undertake paid work in the EU. The Schengen Area provision for 90 days access in any 180-day period does not apply to those undertaking paid work or providing a service in the Schengen Area. British nationals should check with the Embassy of the relevant Member State for what kind of visa or permit, if any, they will need.As set out by the Prime Minister, the United Kingdom is seeking to agree reciprocal commitments with the EU on the temporary entry and stay of individuals, so that both UK nationals and EU citizens can undertake short-term business trips to supply services in each others' territories. The detail of these mobility arrangements will be negotiated. Information about travelling to the EU to provide a service is available on GOV.UK We will update these pages as further information is available.

Africa: Overseas Aid

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration is given to national debt levels, and resourcing of such debt, when developing UK aid and foreign policy for African countries.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We work with our African partners to encourage them to manage debt effectively and ensure any new borrowing is in line with international standards and used for productive investment. The UK also works with a range of actors, including borrowers, creditors (private sector and bilateral) and international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, to promote debt sustainability and transparency. Our focus is on creating an international debt system that supports borrowers to make the right decisions for long-term African growth and prosperity.

Cameroon: Armed Conflict

lord boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress in Cameroon in enhancing the security and human rights of Anglophone and Francophone communities in that country.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon, which is affecting both Anglophone and Francophone communities. These regions suffer from high levels of violence, which has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.We continue to shine a spotlight on the crisis and raise our concerns on human rights at the highest levels, including with the Government of Cameroon, at the United Nations (UN), and with international partners. The Government of Cameroon convened a National Dialogue in October 2019, and legislation concerning bilingualism and special status for the North-West and South-West regions was passed in December. These are welcome initial steps forward. Commitments and legislation now need to be implemented in a timely manner to support genuine decentralisation of power and to tackle the root causes of the conflict. The UK has shared experiences on conflict resolution with the Government of Cameroon and remains ready to support all credible peacebuilding initiatives.

Norfolk Island

lord howarth of newport: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Norfolk Island (1) was within the geographical boundaries of the Commonwealth of Australia or any State thereof when the power to make laws for Norfolk Island was given to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1914, or (2) has since become within those boundaries.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Norfolk Island has been a Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia since 1914 and its governance is a matter for that country.

Cameroon: Armed Conflict

lord judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of escalating violence and human rights abuses towards Anglophone communities in Cameroon; and what steps they are taking to prevent any continued violence or abuse.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon. These regions suffer from high levels of violence, which have driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. We have consistently called for an end to the violence and investigations into all reports of human rights violations and abuses. We continue to maintain a spotlight on the crisis and raise our concerns at the highest levels, including with the Government of Cameroon, at the United Nations (UN) and with international partners. The Government of Cameroon convened a National Dialogue in October 2019, and legislation concerning bilingualism and special status for the North-West and South-West regions was passed in December. These are welcome initial steps forward. Commitments and legislation now need to be implemented in a timely manner to support genuine decentralisation of power and to tackle the root causes of the crisis.

Department for Transport

Rolling Stock: Disability

lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many railway vehicles which do not comply with the “Persons with Reduced Mobility, Technical Specifications for Inter-operability” remained in service after the deadline for their withdrawal expired on 1 January 2020.

baroness vere of norbiton: There are no vehicles in scheduled passenger service which are fully exempted from the requirements of the PRM-TSI. There are around 1,300 vehicles (9%) in the national fleet with short term, time-limited dispensations against a range of non-compliances with standards in the PRM-TSI. As these vehicles are upgraded and replaced the number in service diminishes throughout the coming months.

Rolling Stock: Disability

lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to assess any non-compliance with the Persons with Reduced Mobility, Technical Specifications for Inter-operability after 1 January 2020; and whether any such assesment will (1) include the effect of late orders of new vehicles and modifications to existing vehicles, and (2) the management of the cascade programme by the Department for Transport.

baroness vere of norbiton: A number of operators have been issued with strictly time-limited dispensation notices against non-compliances with the Persons with Reduced Mobility Technical Specifications for Interoperability. As part of these limited dispensations, operators are required to provide evidence that the introduction of new or refurbished stock remains on track. It remains the responsibility of the operator to ensure they meet the requirements for compliance with accessibility legislation.

Railways: Freight

lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Vere of Norbiton on 3 February (HL551), whether the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline takes into account the Government's net carbon emissions target for 2050 and its effects on heavy road haulage.

baroness vere of norbiton: This year we will publish a Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which will set out a credible and ambitious plan to ensure transport, including rail, delivers its contribution to net zero. The Government takes account of such wider strategies when upgrade schemes are appraised through the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

Road Traffic Control

baroness wolf of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether local authorities proposing to permanently close roads or divert traffic from existing routes have any obligation to (1) estimate, and (2) consider, the net impact of any such closures or diversions on total national emissions, rather than solely the roads subject to closure or reduction in use.

baroness wolf of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what authority they have to review changes of road use introduced by local authorities which have proven to have a demonstrably large and negative effect on total emission levels.

baroness wolf of dulwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any elected authorities, including elected mayors, other than local authorities have any responsibility to monitor the overall impact on emissions of individual road closures and changes in use introduced within those authorities' boundaries.

baroness vere of norbiton: Highway authorities are responsible for managing their road networks and for proposing and making all types of Traffic Orders. There is no specific legal requirement for highway authorities proposing to permanently close roads or divert traffic via Traffic Orders to assess the impact on emissions. There are requirements for them to consult, in some circumstances, local businesses, communities and those affected by the changes. There are specific circumstances when referral of Traffic Orders is made to the Secretary of State, for example, in relation to extending experimental Traffic Orders or where the same road has been closed several times for special events. The Government has no authority to review changes made by Traffic Orders which may impact on emissions. Elected authorities, including elected mayors, are not provided with any duties under transport legislation to monitor the impact of emissions in their areas of responsibility.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

baroness miller of chilthorne domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 4 February (HL705), whether the Civil Aviation Authority’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code includes rules regarding the disturbance of wildlife; and if not, why not.

baroness vere of norbiton: The Civil Aviation Authority’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code provides important guidance on how to fly responsibly and within the law. Point 7 of the Drone and Model Aircraft Code has a section reminding users not to fly where animals would be disturbed. Some local authorities also have Byelaws which restrict flight in places such as forests and parks to ensure that wildlife is protected.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Sewage: Water Treatment

lord bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 29 January (HL608), what powers exist to curtail housing developments in the Thames Valley until sufficient capacity for treating sewage has been developed by Thames Water.

lord goldsmith of richmond park: The Water Industry Act 1991 places a duty on water and sewerage companies to provide, maintain and extend a system of public sewers to ensure that the area is and continues to be effectually drained. Water and sewerage companies and the Environment Agency are statutory consultees on local authority development plans, which provide the primary means of determining where future development should be located, including in respect of wastewater infrastructure. Local councils in their role as local planning authorities adjudicate on individual planning applications which, under planning law, must be decided in accordance with the development plan, subject to other material planning considerations. Water and sewerage companies can comment on individual applications and their representations should be taken into account by the planning authority where they raise material planning considerations.